Necklace-clasp.



F. X. ZIBNKILTON.

NECKLACE CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1913.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

Immicm- FmzX. Z

FRANZ X. ZIRNKIL'ION, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

NECKLACE-CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 28, 1513.

Patented Dec. 9,1913. Serial No. 770,424.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANZ X. Zmnnnxron, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Necklace-Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

Une object of my invention is to provide a novel and relatively simple device for detachably connecting the ends of a necklace or for separably coupling any two pieces or parts of jewelry, the construction being such to permit of the quick and convenient con nection or separation of such parts, while preventing their accidental uncoupling or disconnection.

A further object of my invention is to provide a necklace clasp or similar device having the above noted characteristics, which at the same time, shall he of such a nature as to add rather than detract from the ornamental appearance of the necklace or other article of jewelry with which it is used.

These objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a necklace with a pendant, showing my invention as applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the pendant shown in Fig. 1, further illustrating the invention and show ing the clasp in its engaged position; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation similar to Fig. 2, showing the clasp in its disengaged position; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the pendant shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 5, 6, and '7 are side elevations of the pendant illustrating the steps necessary for the purpose of disengaging the clasp; and Fig. 8 is a plan of a form of my invention in which two detachable clasps are employed.

In the above drawings, 1 and 2 represent the two ends of a necklace which are illu trated as connected to the opposite ends of the pendant 3, the latter being provided at one end with a ring t to which the part 2 of the necklace is permanently secured. The end 1 of the necklace is likewise permanently secured to a ring 5 which in turn is soldered or otherwise connected to the middle portion of a substantially U-shaped clasp 6 made of spring metal having at its extremities two projections or pins 7 can tending toward each other.

As is shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, the

pendant which in this case consists of a substantially elliptical open metal frame, has a groove 8 extending from one end to the middle of its two sides where it terminates in two inwardly extending cavities or recesses 9. From these cavities to the opposite end of the pendant, T preferably formthe latter with a convex head 10, so that when the clasp (5 lies within the groove 8, its appearslice is substantially the same as that of said head.

As shown in Fig. 7, the cavities or depres- 810118 9 not only open on the sides of the pendant but are also open on the bottom. thereof, and the construction is such that there is a raised edge 11 between the groove 8 and the plane of the back of said pendant.

As before noted, the end 1 of the necklace is permanently attached to the ring 5 fornr lug part of or connected to the U-shaped clasp 6, and when it is desired to attach the latter to the pendant, its projections 7 are entered in the groove 8 adjacent the end of said pendant as shown in Fig. 3. The clasp is then pushed toward the pendant thus causing its ends to be gradually spread apart by the diverging walls of the groove 8 until the projections enter or snap into the recesses 9. The clasp 6 then lies within the groove 8 as shown in Figs. 2 and 41-, and so closely [its the same that it is practically indistinguishable from the head 10 and its associated parts at the opposite end of the pendant. @wing to the springy nature of the clasp, it cannot be accidentally dislodged from the groove and it is practically impossible to disengageits projections 7' from the recesses 9 by tension exerted on the ring 5.

When it is desired to detach the clasp from the pendant, its ring-carrying end is forced in the direction of the arrow Fig. 4 so that it pivots on its projections 7 and finally comes into the position shown in Fig. 5. The recesses 9 are so made that at this time the clasp cannot be removed by a straight away pull, but must be again swung on its projections 't' in the direction of the an row Fig. 5, whereupon its end portions imme diately adjacent said projections, fulcrum on the adjacent parts of the rib or projecting edge 11 and cause its ends to he sprung apart, at the same time that the projections are moved laterally out of their recesses. The clasp occupies the position shown in Fig. 7, immediately after its disengagement from the pendant.

While I have described my invention as applied to a necklace having a pendant, it obviously has many other uses, since it may without material change be applied to clasps used in connection with lockets, watch fobs and many other forms of jewelry.

In the case shown in Fig. 8, I have shown a member 3, which may be a pendant or other article of jewelry of any desired form, and two clasps 6 designed to detachably engage its opposite ends. Obviously in this case the bead 10 would be omitted and the said member formed with a groove extending completely around it as shown.

1. The combination in a clasp of a member having grooves in opposite sides, each provided with a recess; a U-shaped piece of spring material having projections adjacent its ends formed to enter the recesses; and means for causing the disengagement of said projections from the recesses when said U- shaped member is moved successively in opposite directions on said projections as pivots.

2. The combination in a clasp of a member having grooves in opposite sides provided with slots opening in lines substantially at right angles to the plane of said grooves; with a U-shaped spring piece formed to fit the grooves and having projections removably entering the slots.

3. The combination in a clasp 01" a member having a groove formed in a portion of two of its opposite sides, there being oppositely placed slots communicating with said groove and opening at right angles thereto; with a U-shaped spring piece having projections extending toward each other and removably fitting the slots.

4. The combination in a clasp of a member having two cavities in its opposite sides;

a U-shaped piece having projections removably fitting said cavities; and means for causing said projections to be forcibly removed :trom the cavities when said piece is successively moved in opposite directions on the projections as pivots.

The combination in a clasp of a member having a groove extending from the middle of two of its opposite sides to one end and a bead complementary to said groove, extending from the middle of said two sides to its opposite end, there being a cavity opening on the bottom face of said member between the end of the groove and the end of the head on each side thereof; with a U- shaped piece of spring material having projections at its ends extending toward each other and formed to removably fit into the said cavities, said U-shaped piece being formed to fit within the groove.

6. The combination of a member having an encircling bead, a portion of which is formed by a removable substantially U- shaped spring piece extending within a groove in the sides of said member, said piece having end portions seated in cavities in the body of said member and said cavities opening on one face of the member as well as on the sides thereof so as to permit of the removal of said piece.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

V FRANZ X. ZIRNKILTON.

lVitnesses YVILLIAM E. BRADLEY, TVM. A. BARR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommiss'1oner of latents.

Washington, D. G. 

